Confident . . . The All Blacks' Daniel Carter says he's ready to take the field as he signs autographs in Sydney yesterday.
Photo: Getty Images

Carter set to slot straight in

Rupert Guinness | August 19, 2009

If Dan Carter has any hidden fear about his Test comeback for the All Blacks on Saturday, he wasn't showing any when it was confirmed yesterday.

After being preferred to Stephen Donald as the All Blacks' starting five-eighth for the Test against the Wallabies in Sydney, Carter spoke as if time had stood still since he was sidelined six months ago with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Asked if he had any apprehension about returning after only three NPC clashes for Canterbury and one for his Southbridge club, Carter said: ''I'm just wanting to enjoy the week. Obviously, [after] not playing for so long, anxiety can tend to kick in, but we have a great bunch of guys working around me. I have a bit of experience so I know what works for me. So long as I concentrate on things I need to do everything will tend to take care of itself.''

Carter, for whom Saturday's Test will be his 59th, even dismissed any concern about having to fast-track his knowledge of the All Blacks' game plans.

''A lot of them are the same base moves we have had the last few years,'' Carter said. ''There are just a subtle few changes to a few things that I have picked up on the last few days. It is a matter of really nailing those early in the week so I have clarity in the mind for the second half of the week.''

Forget any butterflies about his head-to-head against Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau either. He is relishing the challenge of facing one of the best.

''He is extremely settled in that No.10 jersey now after being shifted around 12 and 9,'' Carter said. ''I think he is the best man for that position, and the way he has been playing the last 12 months has been awesome. He is definitely developing and getting better every time he gets out there.''

Carter's one worry though is for the wellbeing of Luke McAlister, who was named at No.12 and could not train yesterday due to a back spasm. However, the uncertainty of who will play outside him - McAlister or Ma'a Nonu - was not troubling Carter.

''I have played a lot with Ma'a also,'' he said. ''There are slight differences to how they play, but I am lucky enough to have played alongside both of them.''

Carter and McAlister might not have fond memories of the last time they played together. It was when France beat them in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final at Cardiff. But their selection also reflects the belief that the benched Nonu's game has slipped.

''Luke gives us an extra kicking game. So there is a right and left footer there,'' coach Graham Henry said.

ALL BLACKS: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ma'a Nonu.

Volatile mix has All Blacks fizzing

Duncan Johnstone - Stuff.co.nz | August 19, 2009 - 2:02PM

Desperation, excitement and impatience make for a volatile mix and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw knows his team are going to have to keep a lid on things in the leadup to Saturday's vital clash with the Wallabies.

New Zealand have to channel their emotions into the right areas as their Tri-Nations title goes on the line and the Bledisloe Cup beckons as well.

But McCaw also senses a bit of confidence surfacing in his camp and that might be the most crucial ingredient for a side eager to atone for their twin losses to the Springboks.

It's been a long two and a half weeks since then with McCaw's men brooding on things.

"We had some time away and it's nice to be able to get back and put in place the things we want to get right for Saturday. I think the guys are pretty excited about it," McCaw said, adding that there was also "a little bit" of impatience.

"We have to make sure that we don't play the game today or tomorrow. We just have to make sure that we leave it right for Saturday.

"I think the guys understand that. Certainly the guys are pretty excited about getting out there. We've just got to make sure we hold them back a wee bit. But that's a good thing."

McCaw said that adding to his team's challenge was the fact that the Wallabies were also smarting after getting their butts spanked twice in a row in a Tri-Nations tournament that has been upended by the Boks.

"We have to remember that we are up against a team that's in exactly the same boat so that's going to make for a pretty good test if you get two desperate teams," he said.

"The thing is you have to make sure that you don't let that get on top of you. You have to go out and execute what you are after. If you do that you give yourself a chance.

"It's not the nicest situation to be in but you will see how good guys are at being able to get themselves back up and performing."

From experience – the All Blacks have twice been on the end of two losses in a row under Graham Henry's reign – McCaw said there wasn't a massive need for motivation. The results tended to do that themselves.

"Last year the guys were pretty desperate to get it right and that's the same this year. You don't have to do a whole lot. Most of the guys understand that we didn't play as well we could have and they are pretty desperate to get that right. They are pretty proud sort of guys."

While the All Blacks might enjoy a mental edge over Robbie Deans' Wallabies, having won three tight encounters against them in their last tests, the New Zealanders had shown similar vulnerability against the Boks this year.

McCaw believed this weekend's test would be a lot about composure.

"We got under pressure in Bloemfontein and Durban and they (the Springboks) capitalised on that. We had an opportunity and we let it slip.

"It would be nice to take advantage of that but the way some games go, you get put under pressure and you make mistakes. That's what disappointed us and I'm sure the Wallabies will be the same.

"So you aim to make sure that when you get your critical periods - and there's probably a couple in each test match - you have to make the most of it or you come second."